Fantasy Sports: Robinson Cano's move west could affect his numbers

Saturday

Feb 22, 2014 at 6:44 PMFeb 22, 2014 at 10:02 PM

Josh Bousquet Fantasy Sports

It is a rare situation when a fantasy position can have a clear top player, yet one who still comes with question marks. That, however, is the setting provided by second base heading into the 2014 season.

Robinson Cano put up a 2013 season that was very much in line with what we have come to expect from him, batting .314 with 27 homers, 107 RBIs, 81 runs and 7 stolen bases. And he did it with a Yankees team that did not field its best lineup as it dealt with constant injury issues.

Now, though, we must follow the 31-year-old who convinced a team he was worth a 10-year contract to Seattle. One cannot fault Cano for getting his $240 million payday, but it does move him from a stadium that ESPN's Park Factor ranked the seventh-most hitter friendly in 2013 into one that was 15th. This may become a little more pronounced for the left-handed hitting Cano, who got to play with Yankee Stadium's short 314-foot right-field fence.

Not to be overlooked in his move to Safeco Field, is that Cano has to play with the Mariners there. The lineup protection — and the RBI and run chances that came along with it — were often better in the Bronx for Cano than they will be this season, when manager Lloyd McClendon has indicated his early plans are to bat Cano third and back him up with cleanup hitter Corey Hart.

No, not the "Sunglasses at Night" guy — the former Brewer who did not play at all in 2013 after getting both knees surgically repaired. I still suppose that is the better choice of the two.

I think it is realistic to see a slight downturn in Cano's numbers, but even then he will stand out at a position where power is difficult to find. His 27 homers led the position, but some extra attention must be paid to the fella who came in second.

Much like the tree that fell in the forest with no one around, one wonders if the evidence of a rookie season in San Diego exists.

The latter at least seems to happen a bit more quietly, as Jedd Gyorko had a 23-homer rookie season. He did that with a .249 batting average, though, which is keeping him lower on some draft lists than one would expect.

Only 25 years old, Gyorko batted .319 over his three years in the minors, so I would be surprised if his average didn't rise this year. He also had only 486 at-bats last year, so another 100 should naturally lift his powers numbers, too.

Speaking of power, if it gets toward the end of the draft and you think Dan Uggla's 22 homers could help, there's no way he can bat .179 for a season again, right?

Speed is easier to find at the position, and in places where you may not have to pay too much for it. The Indians' Jason Kipnis already looks like a solid player just by batting .284 with 17 homers, 84 RBIs and 86 runs, but his 30 steals shoot his value higher.

The only place that may be more of a baseball black hole than San Diego is Houston, where Jose Altuve led the position with 35 steals last season. His. 283 average won't hurt you either.

The Mets' Daniel Murphy also made a mark with his 23 steals, which go with a .286 average, 13 homers, 78 RBIs and 92 runs that make for a surprisingly low-end No. 1 or solid backup once the best players at the position are gone.

Then there is the Cubs' Emilio Bonifacio, who swiped 28 bases last season. The only problem is that he does little else.

At least you know that going in, however. There are many other players at the position whose names we need to know, but we can't be sure how they will perform.

The most intriguing name in this group may be the Dodgers' Alex Guerrero, who has a chance to win a starting second base job after defecting from Cuba. L.A. did OK with grabbing Yasiel Puig in a similar manner, so maybe it could get that lucky again.

Kolten Wong should play second for the Cardinals as last season's breakout star, Matt Carpenter (.318-11-78-126-3), moves to third base. Wong batted .303 and stole 20 bases in 107 games with Triple-A Memphis last season. He had only 10 homers and 45 RBIs, but at only 23 years old, some natural power progression can be expected.

Milwaukee's Scooter Gennett batted .324 with 6 homers, 21 RBIs, 29 runs and a pair of steals in his first major league action last season. Those could add up to be valuable numbers if he is able to start over Rickie Weeks and his .209 batting average.

And though his name is no longer really new to the fantasy world, Jurickson Profar (.234-6-26-30-2 in 286 ABs last season) is the reason the Rangers could trade Ian Kinsler to the Tigers.